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The tune settings in this book are all 'session friendly', i.e. you can learn them exactly as written and know that you will have a perfectly acceptable version. However, I consider it unwise to learn a tune from only one source and I would suggest strongly that, when learning a new tune, you pay heed to other books, recordings and live performances. It is important to note that the settings in this book are greatly influenced by the instrument I play, the D/G melodeon (an accordion system rarely found in Irish music circles - B/C and C sharp/D are the norm). I've made a conscious effort to allow this to happen in order to give the book its own unique character. When choosing books, take care not to be put off by the title; some of the best sources of tunes are from tuition books. Just because the book cover says 'Learn to Play the Banjo', don't think it's of no use if you play the tin whistle.

Books will only help you to learn the notes of a tune. To pick up the rhythm of Irish music you must devote a large amount of time listening to both recordings and live musicians. Of greatest importance, you must practice; the value of this book is directly proportional to the number of hours a day you spend practicing.

Chord arrangements are more or less as played on the soundtrack, but nevertheless, are only suggestions. The dominant chords (i.e. D in the key of G, A in the key of D and E in the key of A etc.) throughout this book are noted as plain major chords, whereas many musicians prefer to play the seventh (D7, A7, E7 etc.). Feel free to play either type of chord as the mood takes you.

Tune List:

  • Annaghbeg, The (Polka)
  • Ambrose Maloney's (Reel)
  • Bank of Turf, The (Jig)
  • Bag of Potatoes, The (Reel) 
  • Belles of Tipperary, The (Reel)
  • Bill Collins' (Jig)
  • Boys of Malin, The (Reel)
  • Brian O' Lynn (Jig)
  • Butcher's March, The (Jig)
  • Bush on the Hill, The (Jig)
  • Byrne's (Hornpipe)
  • Castle Kelly (Reel)
  • Ceangulla, The (Slide)
  • Cock and the Hen, The (Slip Jig)
  • Colonel Frazer (Reel)
  • Con Carthy's Favourite (Slide)
  • Con Cassidy's (Jig)
  • Come Have a Drink With Me (Jig)
  • Dairy Maid, The (Reel)
  • Dan Cronin's (Slide)
  • Dennis Enright's (Slide)
  • Derry, The (Hornpipe)
  • Dever the Dancer (Slip Jig)
  • Dinkie's (Reel)
  • Drunken Tinker, The (Reel)
  • Dublin Reel, The (Reel)
  • Eel in the Sink, The (Reel)
  • Farewell to Erin (Reel)
  • Fig for a Kiss, A (Slip Jig)
  • First Month of Summer, The (Reel)
  • Foxhunter's Reel (Reel)
  • Galtee Rangers (Reel)
  • Gatehouse Maid, The (Reel)
  • George White's Fancy (Reel)
  • Get Up Old Woman and Shake Yourself (Jig)
  • Give Us a Drink of Water (Slip Jig)
  • Glountane Frolics (Slide)
  • Green Mountain, The (Reel)
  • Gullane No. 2, The (Polka)
  • High Level (Hornpipe)
  • Hills of Tara, The (Barn Dance)
  • Hole in the Hedge, The (Jig)
  • Jackson's (Reel)
  • Jenny Picking Cockles (Reel)
  • Jerry's Beaver Hat (Jig)
  • Johnny O' Leary's (Polka)
  • Kilrush Polka No. 1, The (Reel)
  • Kilrush Polka No. 2, The (Reel)
  • King of the Clans (Reel)
  • Kinnegad Slashers (Jig)
  • Kishkeam, The (Slide)
  • Laington's (Reel)
  • Leg of the Duck, The (Jig)
  • Leitrim Fancy (Jig)
  • Liffey Banks, The (Reel)
  • Lucky in Love (Reel)
  • Mamma's Pet (Reel)
  • Many a Wild Night (Polka)
  • Mayor Harrison's Fedora (Reel)
  • McDonagh's (Reel)
  • McFadden's Handsome Daughter (Reel)
  • Michael Creamer's (Reel)
  • Michael Reilly's (Reel)
  • Milliner's Daughter, The (Reel)
  • Molloy's (Reel)
  • Monsignor's Blessing (Reel)
  • Mountain Top, The (Reel)
  • Mullingar Races (Reel)
  • Music in the Glen (Reel)
  • My Love and I in the Garden (Reel)
  • Old Man Dillon (Jig)
  • Orphan, The (Jig)
  • Paddy Cronin's (Reel)
  • Paddy Taylor's (Jig)
  • Peach Blossoms (Barn Dance)
  • Pete Bradley's (Polka)
  • Peter Street (Reel)
  • Piper's Despair, The (Reel)
  • Poppy Leaf, The (Hornpipe)
  • Rambler, The (Jig)
  • Rattigan's (Reel)
  • Reconciliation, The (Reel)
  • Red Haired Lass, The (Reel)
  • Richard Brennan's Favourite (Jig)
  • Rose's Delight (Jig)
  • Scatter the Mud (Jig)
  • Scart, The (Slide)
  • Showman's Fancy (Hornpipe)
  • Sliabh Russell (Jig)
  • Seamus Cooley's (Jig)
  • Stenson's (Reel)
  • Stoney Steps, The (Reel)
  • Swaggering Jig, The (Slip Jig)
  • Swinging on a Gate (Reel)
  • Timmy O' Connor's (Polka)
  • Tom Ward's Downfall (Reel)
  • Trip to Sligo, A (Jig)
  • Union Reel, The (Reel)
  • Visit to Ireland, A (Jig)
  • Volunteer, The (Reel)